Pyro Motorsport’s Ollie Taylor cut a relaxed figure ahead of the TCR UK Touring Car Championship season finale at Donington Park, and feels ‘very excited’ after heading up the time sheets during the warm-up session.
Taylor’s Honda Civic Type R FK7 put in a best time of 1:14.550s around the 1.97 mile National layout, eclipsing nearest challenger Josh Price (Honda Civic FK2) by 1.084 seconds.
That came amid a flurry of late improvements as a drying line emerged on a previously greasy track surface, but Taylor at the top remained the common denominator.
“It was very changeable out there. It started off not even wet, it was just greasy. We struggled to make the wets work in that and switched onto slicks, and after that the car came alive,” explained Taylor to TouringCars.net.
“I felt very happy in those conditions, every lap the sectors were purple. It was very confidence-inspiring and a good way to start the weekend.”
He also says the surprise nature of his title contention – with a second career victory at Croft coupled with a retirement for championship leader Dan Lloyd putting him in his current position, 31 points adrift – means he enters the double-header with no pressure on his shoulders.
“I feel very excited. A few race weekends ago, I didn’t expect to be in this position,” he admitted.
“I hadn’t accepted second, as such, I just didn’t think it was going to be possible. Some good results for us coupled with some not-so-good results for Dan [Lloyd] has brought us back into contention.
“It’s great that it has come down to the last round, but I never expected to be in this position so I don’t feel any pressure. I’m just here to enjoy it; if every session can go as that one went then who knows what could happen?
“I’m going to need a little bit of luck on my side for it to go my way. I’m going to give it 110% but I haven’t had time to overthink it, it’s not mine to lose, I haven’t been in contention until Croft.
“If it doesn’t work out for me I’ll be the first to congratulate Dan, he’s been a great competitor all year, it’s certainly brought me on from where I was at the start of the season, which is a win for me.
“I hope for the sake of the championship and the fans we can take it down to the last round and have a good race, and whoever wins it, I’m sure we’ll each say they deserved it.”
Five different marques topped the warm-up session at some stage, and Taylor is hopeful the Honda has a slight advantage, but conceded that, if there is one, the impact is very minimal.
“The circuit is maybe slightly in the Honda’s favour, because it’s quite open and flowing, but it’s still got some tight and twisty bits,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a little bit of luck, a little bit the weather conditions – qualifying is going to be interesting – I know what I need to do; go out there and win both races and whatever happens behind me, happens behind me.”
The weekend continues with Free Practice at 13:50 BST.